Clark County leaders appoint replacement to fill assembly seat

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LAS VEGAS — Clark County commissioners have appointed a North Las Vegas man with 23 years of public sector experience to replace expelled Nevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks in the state Legislature.

Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to select Odis “Tyrone” Thompson, who works as a regional initiatives coordinator for the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition and previously worked with the state welfare department and county neighborhood services and social services departments.

“I’m also a passionate public servant, not a 9-to-5 guy,” he told commissioners at the meeting.

Thompson was one of two applicants recommended by Assembly leaders to take the seat in Assembly District 17, which is one of the most diverse in the state with a 24 percent African-American population and 31 percent Hispanic population.

Thompson, who is black, had the endorsement of the Clark County Democratic Black Caucus, and several other Clark County residents vouched for his involvement in church and community activities.

Other applicants for the seat included Meli Pulido, a retired City of Las Vegas employee who was also recommended by the Assembly. Glynn Coleman, Michelle Jotz, Michael Kelly, Mujahid Ramadan, William Robinson II, Kelly Thomas and Brandon Casutt also applied.

Brooks was expelled from the Assembly March 28 after fellow lawmakers testified that they didn’t feel safe with him in the legislative building. He was arrested twice and hospitalized for a mental evaluation before the move, and arrested again in California hours after the expulsion.

Records show Brooks remained in a San Bernardino County jail Tuesday on charges that include resisting an officer, felony evading and assault on a police animal.